Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or any other illegal substances is a serious offense and calls for criminal charges on the convict. Like other criminal charges, the person accused of a suspected DWI offense is considered innocent until proven guilty. But before you get into a similar situation educate yourself of the possible reasons that can give rise to a DWI penalty. The possible reasons for pulling over your vehicle can be because of violation of the traffic rules, erratic or dangerous driving, routine checkup at DWI checkpoints and suspect for a stolen vehicle or one related to a criminal activity. However, if you have been pulled over for a suspected DWI the reasons can be harsh driving either under the influence of alcohol or other prohibited narcotic drugs or having a minor in your car while being in such a state. The DWI Houston penal charges and provisions vary according to the intensity of the case, the age of the suspect and also the condition in which such act has been performed.Driving Vehicle Under Prescription Medication
There is a popular misconception among people that a DWI charge is only imposed on those who have been driving on the roads of Texas under the influence of alcohol. But the term “Driving While Intoxicated” constitutes a broader meaning and includes an individual driving under the influence of a controlled substance or any other prescription medication. Driving Under The Influence of a prescription medication is considered to be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or other narcotic drugs. Therefore, a person who has been arrested for a DWI offense can be charged for a Class B misdemeanor in case of a first time offense and a Class A misdemeanor or felony charge for a second or subsequent offense. This is the reason many drugs contain a warning label stating that it is dangerous to get behind the wheels of a vehicle after consumption. The reason for such warning is that certain drugs inhibit your senses and slow down the normal reflex time making the person more prone to road accidents. Certain drugs like Hydrocodone, Soma, Xanax and Ambien are prescribed to treat anxiety, panic or a sleep-related disorder which is why it is better to avoid driving a vehicle after taking such medicines. Some of the illegal drugs include Cocaine, Marijuana, Heroin and Morphine, Methamphetamine and the like. It is better to know the DWI Houston laws in detail and avoid the consumption of the aforementioned products rather than face severe consequences later.
Driving With Suspended Or Invalid License
Getting arrested for a suspected DWI offense in Texas will have your driving license suspended immediately and you will be issued a temporary driving permit for a period of 42 days. Within a period of 15 days from the date of suspension you need to prepare appropriate paperwork and file a request for Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to challenge the suspension. Otherwise the license will automatically be suspended for the stipulated time period form the end of the 41st day after temporary suspension of the license. After that if you are caught for driving without a license or an invalid one the consequences can be quite severe. In such a case you need to hire an aggressive and experienced lawyer who can take the necessary steps to reduce the charges leveled against you. In addition to that he might also be able to provide you an occupational license during the interim period so that you can continue doing your work and certain other specified tasks with the help of a vehicle. So before you get caught for possessing an invalid license while on the move get hold of a capable lawyer so that he can proceed with the situation beforehand. An efficient and dedicated lawyer will do all that is necessary for a driving license restoration, represent in ALR hearing and build an aggressive defense strategy to protect his client from all sorts of DWI accusations.
